Hall To Nacua Connection Among Observations In BYU’s Win Over Idaho State

PROVO, Utah – The No. 15 ranked BYU football team cruised to victory against FCS opponent Idaho State in their final game in Lavell Edwards Stadium this season beating the Bengals 59-14.

Jaren Hall was outstanding in the first half completing 20 of 25 passes for 298 yards and four touchdown passes. More on Hall below in my observations from the win.

Baylor Romney saw action in the second half as well as third string quarterback Jacob Conover.

AND THATS A DUB💪 pic.twitter.com/2pBNhzIrns

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) November 6, 2021

It was a picture perfect fall afternoon in Provo with a sellout crowd of 63,470.

1. Jaren Hall connection with Puka Nacua

Puka Nacua didn’t play in the opener against Arizona. After only grabbing four catches against Utah and Arizona State, Nacua is averaging 4.25 catches per game in the games following.

Jaren Hall loves throwing the ball to Neil Pau’u and Nacua. They’ve now combined for 80 catches this season.

One of Hall’s best passes of the game was a floating pass down the sideline to Nacua, who tracked the ball down in the corner of the end zone.

PUKA!

📷: @BYUPhoto pic.twitter.com/CLRaSX6v2F

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) November 6, 2021

Perfect touch from Hall and great speed by Nacua to run underneath the pass.

It’s exciting to think what this duo can accomplish next season after developing chemistry together in the latter half of the year.

2. BYU football seniors making plays on senior day

Senior day is always fun. I love to see the reactions from each player as they run onto the field for their final game at Lavell Edwards stadium.

BYU honored 11 players, although only three of them won’t have the option to return next season.

I always hope to see those seniors make plays and score a few touchdowns and against Idaho State, we saw plenty of great plays from that senior class.

Defensive back Matthew Criddle pulled down his first career interception.

Matthew Criddle gets the first INT of his #BYU career on senior day.

He made sure not to drop that ball like another Criddle we know against Matt Ryan and Boston College. @CriddleBenjamin 😉

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 6, 2021

Neil Pau’u scored a touchdown on the final offensive play of the first half after pushing his way into the end zone.

He is one of the players who could return if he wanted to, but if he doesn’t, I think it’s great his final play at Lavell Edwards stadium was a touchdown.

Samson Nacua hauled down three catches in his final home game.

He’s become a fan favorite in his only season wearing blue and white.

#BYU fans love Samson Nacua and he loves them back.

He left quite a mark in his lone season wearing blue and white.

⁦@kslsports⁩ #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/pehIrZl8wa

— Matthew Baiamonte (@baiamontematt) November 6, 2021

It will be interesting to see who returns and who hangs it up, but for one afternoon in Provo, it was fun to see seniors making plays for BYU football.

3. Future BYU Football running backs

We saw a heavy dose of running backs against Idaho State.

Allgeier only carried the ball six times. Katoa carried it eight times.

There were plenty of reps to go around for the next wave of running backs.

Jackson McChesney and Hinckley Ropati saw action in the second half because of the lopsided score.

Hinckley Ropati, Miles Davis getting snaps here. Preview of next year's running back core along with Jackson McChesney?#ISUvsBYU #BYUfootball #BYU

— Jake Hatch (Yawk) (@JacobCHatch) November 6, 2021

McChesney has earned high praise from offensive coaches throughout the season. He might become the feature back in 2022 if Allgeier and Katoa decide to move on.

A much much needed bye week awaits after a grueling stretch of play consisting of six power five opponents.

You can hear Matt Baiamonte every Saturday on KSL Newsradio for Cougar Sports Saturday from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or you can find him on Twitter here.